Metallurgical apparatus



Nov. 10, 1936. D. L. SUMMEY 2,

METALLURG I CAL APPARATUS Original Filed April 29, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheetl l l l I 5 i I Nov. 10, 1936. SUMMEY 2,060,135

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Nov. 10, 1936. D. L. SUMMEY 2,

METALLURGICAL APPARATUS Original Filed April 29, 1952' 10 Sheets-Sheet10 IN VENTOR iii l0 [.kfl/lV iffX Patented Nov. 10, 1936 METALLURGICALAPPARATUS David L. Summey. Waterbury, Conn.; The Colonial Trust Companyand Richard P. Weeks Summey, executors of said David L. Summey,deceased, assignors to Scovili Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Conn.,a corporation of Connecticut Application April 29, 1932, Serial No.608,177 Renewed July 21, 1934 28 Claim.

This invention relates to metallurgical apparatus, particularly toaparatus for confining, heating and directing molten metal in its flowbetween a source of supply, for example a melting furnace, and areceptacle, for example a mold in which the metal is solidified. Thefurnace has movement during pouring operations and the molds are shiftedalong as they are filled. There must therefore be relative movementbetween the parts. This relative movement may be accommodated in variousways. Herein it is accommodated by movement of the interconnecting meanswhich directs the metal into the molds. This means has vertical movementwhereby it can be raised from molds as they are filled and be loweredupon others as they successively come into position therebeneath. At thesame time a sealed connection is maintained with the furnace whichpermits of the vertical movements of the metal directing means and themovements of the furnace for pouring.

It is one object of this invention to provide improved enclosing meanswhich will adjust itself to the furnace and molds and a. further objectto provide improved metal directing and heating means, which lattermeans may form a part of or be intimately associated with the firstmeans.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the present apparatus together with certainrelated apparatus with which it is associated;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation taken on the line 55 of Fi 1;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 'I-'i of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 'l

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken on the line ill-l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on the line ll-ll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on the line |3--l3 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken on the line "-44 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 15 is a horizontal section taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 12.

In the present embodiment of the invention 5 the pouring enclosure 20(Fig. 1) is shown in association with a cylindrical pouring furnace 2|which tilts about a horizontal axis Z and a mold wheel 22 which supportsa plurality of molds 23.

The metallurgical plant which comprises these 1 units is described in myapplication Serial Number 619,474 filed June 27, 1932, and the method ofoperating the plant to produce cast metal, for example copper, of a highquality is described in my application Serial Number 535,829, filed May1 As shown in Fig. 2, there is associated with the enclosure 20a device24, hereinafter referred to as a strainer for directing a stream ofmolten metal from the spout 25 of the furnace 21 into the mold 23.Narrow vertical molds are em- I ployed, these having been found toproduce the soundest possible castings with least head scrap loss. Inorder to obtain such sound castings even with vertical molds the pouringprocedure must be carefully controlled. It is inadvisable to attempt topour directly from the furnace into the molds. It is preferable to pourfrom a device which will cause the metal to descend in a vertical streaminto the mold. The strainer fulfills this purpose. It is provided with apour hole I H. For best results this hole is so formed that its lengthis several times greater than its diameter. Herein the strainer 24 andthe cooperating enclosure 20 are rigidly and tightly secured togetherand have vertical movement in order to cooperate with the molds whichhave no vertical movement.

The vertical movements of the enclosure and the rocking movements of thefurnace are accommodated in what may be termed an articulated jointwhich maintains a tight seal about the spout in all positions of eitherthe enclosure or the furnace. This joint comprises (Fig. 2) a plate 28which has a large flat face in engagement I with a flat face on the endof the enclosure. The plate is resiliently urged against the enclosureby springs 29 and is sealed in any suitable manner about the spout 25 soas to have adjustable movement thereon.

Suitable means are provided for raising and lowering the strainer andenclosure assembly as required. As shown in Fig. 4, the strainer issupported by a forked bracket 3| which is attached to a verticallymovable slide 32. The slide 32 is supported upon a vertical I-beamcolumn 88 which forms part of the support for a platform 84. Theconnection between the slide 82 and the column, as shown in Figs. 7 and8, comprises rollera 85 mounted on shafts 88 on opposite sides of thecolumn. The inner ends of the shafts are supported by U-shaped anchormembers 81. The rollers operate upon smooth faced guides 88 which areattached interiorly to the flanges of the I-beam column 88. Referring toFig. 4, an auxiliary roller 88 is secured to a flxed part attached tothe top of the column 88 and at one side of the latter to cooperate witha guide '40 secured to the vertical slide 82. This prevents twistingmovement of the strainer and enclosure about a vertical axis due to theaction of the springs 28 acting upon the sealing plate 28.

Referring to Fig. 8 the slide 82 is supported by a flexible member suchas a chain 48 which is anchored in the strainer supporting bracket 8| bya clip 48. The chain 45 passes over an armate flanged sector 41rotatable upon or with a shaft 48 which is supported in a frame memberI! resting upon the top of the column 33. The chain is anchored to thesegment by a clip 50.

The sector 41 is formed integral with, or through the shaft 48 isrigidly connected with, a bifurcated crank arm ii. To the divided endsof the arm a crank 82 is secured. Upon this is rotatably mounted asleeve 58 which bears opposed stud pins 84. A yoke 58 is connected tothese stud pins 64 and to this yoke there is clamped by bolts 58 aconnecting rod 81.

As seen in Fig. 4, the connecting rod 51 extends rearwardly to'operating mechanism of a suitable character. The illustrated embodimentof this mechanism comprises a connection similar to that just described,including the yoke 88, clamp bolts 88, sleeve 88 with stud pins 8i,crank pin 82 and the bifurcated crank arm 88. The connecting rod may beadjusted in length by a coupling N which includes the lock nut 85.

The arm 03 is formed integral with, or is rigidly connected through thepower shaft 88 with, a flanged sector IT to which is attached as by aclip 88, a flexible member or chain 88. The chain 89 extends downward tothe grooved hub 10 of a flanged wheel H which is rotatably mounted on astub shaft 12 anchored to a vertical column 18. The chain is anchored tothe hub III by a clip 14.

To the flanged wheel N there is attached as by a clip 15, a flexiblemember such as a chain 18 which passes over the wheel and suspends acounterweight 11. The counterweight may be made lighter than thestrainer and enclosure which it partly balances, assuming that thestrainer is to move downward by gravity and is to be moved upward bypower, due to the fact that the mechanical advantage through the smallhub Hi and the large wheel II is in favor of the counterweight.

The shaft 88 is operated to raise the strainer assembly by a fluidactuated piston 80 (Figs. 5 and 6) disposed in a cylinder 8| which isanchored to the column 18 and supplied with fluid through pipes 82, 88.The piston rod 84 is attached to a cross-head slide 85 which is operablein guides 88, attached to the column 13. The erosshead is attached by awrist pin 81 to a connecting rod 88, which rod is attached by a crankpin 88 to a power crank arm 8|] rigidly connected to the shaft 88.

The strainer must be moved very carefully or it is likely to causedamage. Accordingly the movement is regulated by a fluid dash pot 8|which extends downward toward the inner endi of the spout. If acovering, for example carbon C, lies upon the metal in the chamber it iskept from passing out the spout by the baffle. The metal confined in thespout by the baffle may be kept molten by electrical resistor heaters 88disposed thereabove. A refractory plate 88 prevents injury to theresistors by splashing metal.

Means are provided for preventing the entry of atmospheric air into theenclosure 28. The oxygen of the air would be extremely harmful to thequality of the metal. In order to produce sound copper castings, forexample, all oxygen must be kept away from the metal until itsolidifies. The air may best be excluded by introducing a non-oxidizingor deoxidizing gas into the enclosure under a pressure which is aboveatmospheric pressure. If there should then be any leakage the gas willflow outward. The air cannot flow inward. The gas may be introduced by apipe I00 which enters the enclosure 28 on one side (Fig. 3) and whichleads to a gas producer llil. Carbon monoxide with perhaps anintermixture of some inert or non-oxidizing gases is preferred. The pipeI" (Fig. 4) is provided with a slip Joint I02 to accommodate thevertical movements of the enclosure and strainer.

. Some of the gas may be by-passed around the strainer basin ill by anaperture I into the mold to expel all air from the mold before metal ispoured therein.

The connecting joints of the enclosure with the furnace and the mold aresufficiently tight to limit the flow of gas therethrough to a smallamount. If there should be objections to even this small leakage it maybe avoided by means which are hereby provided. The joints includemembers provided with annular recesses I81 and ill at the furnace andmold respectively and these recesses are covered by apertured platesI09, H0 respectively which form the engaging parts of the joints. Avacuum pipe ill connected with the annular spaces takes the escapinggases away. The vacuum pipe is provided with a slip joint Illa like thatdescribed for the gas pipe I08 for accommodating the vertical movementsof the strainer and enclosure. The pipe Hi connects with the annularspaces I81, I08 respectively, by a space or duct (not shown). A vacuumis maintained on the pipe by a vacuum pump lb. The space between themain shell of the enclosure and the interior lining plates H8 is fllledwith a refractory material Ilia (Fig. 3).

It is desirable for operators to approach in order that they may observethe flow and condition of the metal within the enclosed apparatus. Formaking such observations possible, sight openings H4, III, III coveredby glass or the like are provided to give a view into the furnace, intothe strainer (and into the mold when metal does not obstruct the pourhole lllv of the strainer), and into the strainer and the top of themoldrespectively. The aperture IN past the strainer bowl is employed forthe last sighting. The lines of sight are indicated in Fig. 2.

It is important that the operator be able to see within the strainer andthe mold through one sight opening such as II6 for by this arrangementhe can tell the amount of metal in the strainer relative to the rate ofpouring through the strainer and relative to the amount of metal in themold; can pour metal from the furnace at the proper rate to produce thebest castings; and can avoid overfllling the mold. Mu ch time is lost inclearing away frozen metal if it is allowed to spill. The sight openingH6 is important since it enables the operator to see the condition ofthe pour hole II! of the strainer before beginning to pour. The sightopening 4 is important since it enables the operator to observe thelevel of the metal in the furnace and to tilt the furnace accordingly soas not to start pouring either too slowly or too rapidly and to keep themetal from spilling over the edge of the spout when not pouring.

The pour hole II I includes a refractory tube which is set into thestrainer lining and metal casing. The tube is tapered interiorly toreceive a replaceable inner tube which may be removed by driving itupward.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 9, the aperture I04 may also serve for theoverflow of metal if the pour hole III should become plugged or if itshould not take metal away as fast as it is poured from the furnace intothe strainer. An overflow notch H8 is made in the upper edge of thestrainer basin and surplus metal escaping thereby is confined byconverging vertical plates H9 and parallel vertical plates I20. A grooveI2I in the outer refractory lining II2 of the strainer directs theoverflow metal into the mold.

lvieans are provided for keeping the metal molten in the enclosure,particularly in the basin of the strainer. This heating means isdisposed about the pouring hole of the basin in a protected position. Inthe present embodiment it comprises (Figs. 2 and 9) a plurality ofresistor rods I25 of a refractory material such as silicon carbide whichare engaged by substantially stationary electrodes I26 and movableelectrodes I21. There are four resistors in the present instance forminga complete enclosure about the strainer basin. The resistors are, asmentioned above, placed in a protected position but in order further toprotect them from splashing metal they are encased by refractory, forexample alundum, sleeves I28. The sleeves I28 extend through the liningI22 and the shell I23 of the strainer and partly encase the electrodesI26 and I21 as well as the resistors I25. Refractory blocks I29 arepreferably set into the lining I22 at the ends of the resistors. Betteralignment and freer movement of the electrodes is secured in thismanner. The resistors are arranged in pairs, each pair at a differentelevation in order to obtain the most convenient disposition of them andin order to avoid interference by one set or pair with the other set.

Elevational views of the resistor arrangement and of the electricalconnections therefor are shown in Figs. 10 to 13, the views being takenwith reference to Fig. 9. For convenient reference the elevations ofFigs. 10, l1, l2, and 13 will be designated as sides A, B, C, and Drespectively. Referring to Fig. 10, the resistors are supplied withcurrent from an outside source through the power terminals N, P.Conductors NI, PI are connected to these terminals. The first NIsupplies current to the parts shown in Figs. 10 and 12 and the other PIsupplies current to the parts shown in Figs. 11 and 13. The conductor NIis attached to a terminal post N2 and through this supplies current to aconductor N3 which is connected to a bracket post N for the doublebracket N6. At each end the bracket N6 is provided with detachablecupped electrode supports N6, N1. The side is closed by a suitable coveror covers I30 (Fig. 9). The covers for this and the other sides not onlyprotect the electrodes and connections from injury and protect theoperators from injury by contact with the electrodes, but are sealedtightly to the casing so as to prevent escape of gas from the casing orthe inflow of air into the casing. This passage of gases might otherwiseoccur due to the looseness of the joints about the electrodes and thesleeves therefor and the porosity of the sleeves. The outward leakage ofcarbon-monoxide at this location would be particularly undesirablebecause operators must be present to supervise the pouring operations.

Referring to Fig. 13 which shows the connections for the fixed ends ofthe other resistors (side D), the conductor PI extends around the cornerto the bracket post P2 for the double bracket P3. Removable cuppedsupports P4, P5 on the bracket P3 back up the electrodes. A conductor P6extends to a connector post P'I. A cover I3I in one or several partsencloses these electrical connections on side D.

Referring to Fig. 11 which shows the connections for the resilientlypressed electrodes for one pair of resistors (side B), the post PI hasconnected thereto at its upper and lower ends respectively twoconductors P8, P9. The former P8 is connected to a terminal post PI IIand from this extends a conductor PI I. The conductors P9 and PII arerespectively connected to replaceable cupped electrode supports PI2,PI3.

which are mounted upon swinging levers PH, PI5. The levers are supportedupon studs I32 and are urged against the electrodes by compressionsprings I33 (Fig. 9) which act between seats I34 formed on fixedbrackets I35 and seats I36 adjustably attached to bolts I31 which arepivotally connected with the outer ends of the levers. The parts on thisside are protected by a cover I38. The bolts I31 pass through thebrackets I35 as shown in Fig. 14.

Referring to Fig. 12 which shows the connections for the resilientlypressed electrodes for the other pair of resistors (side C), the post N2has connected thereto at its upper and lower ends respectively twoconductors N8, N9. The latter is connected to a terminal post NI 0 andto this post is connected a conductor NII. The conductors N8 and NII arerespectively connected to replaceable cupped electrode supports NI2, NI3which are mounted upon swinging levers N I4, NI5. The levers aresupported upon studs I 39 and are urged against the electrodes bycompression springs I40 which act between seats I4I formed on fixedbrackets I42 and seats I43 adjustably attached to bolts I which arepivotally connected with the outer ends of the levers. The parts on thisside are protected by a cover I 45.

In operation the strainer and hood assembly is lifted after a mold isfilled and lowered after an empty mold has been brought into position.This movement is wholly independent of the movement of the furnace.After the strainer has been seated on the mold the gas which iscontinually being supplied to the hood is allowed hearth is independentof the movement of the strainer and hood. The metal is at all times keptenclosed and enveloped by a gas which excludes air from it.

The advantages of the apparatus will be apparent from the abovedescription of one exemplary embodiment thereof. It is to be understoodthat the invention may have other embodiments and may be variouslymodified within the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim: 1. Apparatus of the character described comprising incombination, a strainer bowl, an enclosure therefor which on the sidesis spaced therefrom, rod-shaped electrical resistor heaters within thespace around the bowl, refractory lining at the ends of said resistors,stationary electrodes for one end of said resistors extending throughthe lining, fixed arms parallel with the side of the enclosure engagingand backing said stationary electrodes, movable electrodes for the otherend of said resistors extending through the lining, movable leversparallel with the side of the enclosure engaging and resilientlypressing said movable electrodes, and resilient means engaging saidmovable levers for pressing them against the electrodes.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said movable levers arepivoted at a mid-point, a headed rod attached to the free end of thelever, a bracket between the head of the rod and the lever, and acompression spring positioned between the head and the bracket pressingthe free end of the lever outward and the electrode-engaging end of thelever inward.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said movable levers andsaid arms are provided with detachable cupped ends engaging theelectrodes.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which further includes boxing andcovers for the mechanism and conductors at the ends of said electrodes.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, astrainer bowl for directing molten metal, an enclosure therefor, and aplurality of rod-shaped resistor heaters disposed about said bowl, saidresistors being arranged crosswise at different elevations.

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, astrainer assembly, a channelled column supporting said assembly, guidesdisposed within the channels of said column, a frame supporting saidassembly, and rollers on said frame engaging said guides foraccommodating the vertical movement of said frame.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 which further includes meanspressing said assembly sidewise, an auxiliary guide on said frame and aroller mounted on said column cooperating with said auxiliary guide toresist said sidewise move ment.

8. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, astrainer assembly, means supporting said assembly for verticalreciprocation, guide means therefor, means pressing the assemblysidewise, and an auxiliary guide resisting the sidewise movement of theassembly.

9. Apparatus for pouring metal, comprising in combination, a device forpouring molten metal, a device spaced therefrom for receiving moltenmetal, a hood for protecting metal between the pouring and receivingdevices, contact Joints between said hood and devices and means forforming a vacuum at said Joints, said means comprising a recessfollowing the perimeter of said joint, a perforated plate covering saidrecess, and means for evacuating said recess.

10. Apparatus for pouring metal, comprising in combination, a device forpouring molten metal, a device spaced therefrom for receiving moltenmetal, a hood for protecting metal between the pouring and receivingdevices, contact Joints be tween said hood and devicesand means forforming a vacuum at said joints, said means comprising a recessfollowing the perimeter of contact of said Joints and means forevacuating said recess.

11. Apparatus for pouring metal, comprising in combination, a device forpouring molten metal,

a device spaced therefrom for receiving molten metal, a hood forprotecting metal between the pouring and receiving devices, contactJoints between said hood and devices and means for forming a vacuum atsaid joints.

12. Apparatus for pouring metal, comprising in combination, a device forpouring molten metal, a device spaced therefrom for receiving moltenmetal, a movable hood for protecting metal between the pouring andreceiving devices, contact joints between said hood and devices andmeans for forming a vacuum at said joints, said means comprising arecess following the perimeter of said joint, a perforated platecovering said recess, a pipe for evacuating said recess and a joint insaid pipe accommodating the movement of saidhood.

13. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, astrainer bowl for directing molten metal into a receiving vessel, anenclosure for said bowl, rod-shaped electrical resistors positionedacross said enclosure outside of said bowl, and a refractory tubeenclosing each of said resistors for protecting them against splashingmetal.

14. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, astrainer bowl for directing molten metal into a receiving vessel, anenclosure for said bowl, a by-pass path for metal around said bowl,electrical resistors positioned around said bowl for keeping the metalmolten therein, and refractory members protecting said resistors frommolten metal.

15. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, astrainer bowl for directing molten metal into a receiving vessel, anenclosure for said bowl, a by-pass path for metal around said bowl,electrical resistors positioned around said bowl for keeping the metalmolten therein, and refractory members protecting said resistors frommolten metal, said refractory members including vertical platespositioned between the bowl and a resistor.

16. Apparatus oi the character described comprising in combination, astrainer-bowl for directing molten metal, a pouring opening in thebottom thereof, an enclosure for said bowl, and a by-pass for overflowmetal from the bowl, said by-pass directing the metal to a pointdirectly below said pouring opening, said by-pass including a notch inthe upper edge of said bowl and refractory means forming a passage forreceiving metal escaping from said notch.

17. Apparatus for pouring metal, comprising in combination, a device forsupplying molten metal, a device for receiving molten metal, a hood forentirely enclosing the stream oi metal between said supplying and saidreceiving device, said hood being adjustably sealed to said supplyingdevice in all positions of the device and hood and being seated upon theupper end of a receiving device when the latter is positionedtherebeneath, and means for vertically reciprocating said hood to seatit upon a receiving cle vice or to raise it therefrom, said means comprising a pair of spaced parallel crankshafts, means for connecting oneof the crankshafts to the hood, means for connecting the two crankshaftstogether, and power means for operating the second crankshaft.

18. Apparatus for pouring metal, comprising in combination, a device forsupplying molten metal, a device for receiving molten metal, a hood forentirely enclosing the stream of metal between said supplying and saidreceiving device, said hood being adjustably sealed to said supplyingdevice in all positions of the device and being seated upon the upperend of a receiving device when the latter is positioned therebeneath,and means for vertically reciprocating said hood to seat it upon areceiving device or to raise it therefrom, said means comprising a powerpiston for raising the hood, the hood being lowered by gravity, and adash pot for regulating the movement of the hood in either direction.

19. Apparatus for pouring metal, comprising in combination, a device forsupplying molten metal, a device for receiving molten metal, a hood forentirely enclosing the stream of metal between said supplying and saidreceiving device, said hood being adjustably sealed to said supplyingdevice in all positions of the device and hood and being seated upon theupper end of a receiving device when the latter is positionedtherebeneath and means for vertically reciprocating said hood to seat itupon a receiving device or to raise it therefrom, said means comprisinga crank shaft, a pulley thereon, a flexible member passing over saidpulley and supporting said hood, and power means for operating saidcrank shaft.

20. Apparatus for pouring metal, comprising in combination, a device forsupplying molten metal, a device for receiving molten metal, a hood forentirely enclosing the stream of metal between said supplying and saidreceiving device, said hood being adjustably sealed to said supplyingdevice in all positions of the device and hood and being seated upon theupper end of a receiving device when the latter is positionedtherebeneath, and means for vertically reciprocating said hood to seatit upon a receiving device or to raise it therefrom, said meanscomprising a power piston for raising the hood, and a counterweightpartly balancing the weight of the hood.

21. Apparatus for pouring molten metal comprising in combination, ametal melting furnace, a spout therefor, a mold for receiving moltenmetal, a strainer for receiving a stream of molten metal from saidfurnace when tilted and directing it vertically into said mold, a hoodenclosing the metal stream between said furnace and the mold, and sightmeansin said hood giving a view into the furnace through said spout,into said strainer, into the mold through the strainer and into the moldpast the strainer.

22. Apparatus of the character described, comprising in combination, abasin or vessel adapted to receive molten metal and having an openingfor directing metal from the bottom thereof, a refractory tubesurrounding said opening having a downwardly tapered inner surface, anda replaceable refractory sleeve fitting in said tube and adapted to beremoved by upward movement.

23. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, astrainer bowl for directing molten metal into a receiving vessel, anenclosure for said bowl, and rod-shaped electrical resistors positionedacross said enclosure outside of said bowl.

24. Apparatus of the character described, comprising in combination, abillet mold, a strainer bowl for holding a shallow pool of metal, anenclosure therefor excluding air from the metal both in the strainer andbetween the strainer and the mold, means for maintaining a gas withinthe enclosure for protecting the metal, and

glass-covered sight openings in the enclosure giving a view into thebowl and below the bowl.

25. Apparatus for directing a stream of molten metal between a pouringdevice and a receiving device, comprising in combination, a strainerbowl having a heat-conducting refractory lining in the bottom of whichis formed a hole for the passage of the metal to the receiving device.said hole being several times greater in length than in diameter,whereby the stream of metal is accurately directed in a compact column,and electrical resistor. heating elements so positioned about thestrainer bowl that the heat radiated therefrom is concentrated upon saidmetaldirecting hole whereby the free and unobstructed passage of metaltherethrough may be assured.

26. Apparatus as set forth in claim which further comprises incombination, an enclosure movably connected to a metal pouring deviceand to a metal receiving device, the upper portion of said enclosuresurrounding the stream flowing to the strainer bowl, the intermediateportion of said enclosure forming a support and housing both for saidbowl and for the resistor heating elements, and the lower portion ofsaid enclosure surrounding the stream flowing from said bowl. I

27. Apparatus as set forth in claim 25, which further comprises incombination, an enclosure connected at the time of pouring to a metalpouring device and to a metal receiving device and adapted to surroundthe molten metal as it flows into the strainer bowl, while it is in thestrainer bowl and as it flows from said bowl, and means to supply to andmaintain within said enclosure at the time of pouring a body ofnon-oxidizing gas at super-atmospheric pressure whereby completely toprevent the ingress of air.

28. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, abottom-pour strainer bowl for directing molten metal into a receivingdevice, an enclosure for said bowl, said enclosure including supportingmeans for said strainer bowl and means comprising part of the enclosureforming a space around and below the strainer, and heating meansdisposed in said space.

DAVID L. SUMMEY.

